DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Dawn Emerick, Ed.D
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
City of San Antonio Gun Violence Prevention Plan
SUMMARY:
The City of San Antonio, through a partnership between the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) and SAPD, is building an integrated approach to violence prevention that coordinates upstream violence prevention, targeted intervention, and response, with the expansion of a trauma-informed community response. As part of developing the model and plan, the city is gathering input on potential community-based solutions to holistic gun violence prevention. This process will explore what is already working, new ideas from other communities and from within San Antonio, and directions for future gun violence prevention efforts.
Small-Group Meetings - February - March
Eight small group meetings with 8 - 12 attendees each. At each meeting, attendees will be invited who represent a specific sector (i.e., families of shooting victims, healthcare and trauma services, etc.). A facilitated conversation to identify 2 - 3 strategies will follow a brief presentation of local data and initiatives. Virtual options will be provided.
Survey Development and Launch- March
Based on the findings of the small group meetings, options for gun violence prevention will be developed. Through a partnership with SA SpeakUp, San Antonio community members will be invited to provide input.
Final Community Meeting - Mid-April
After feedback has been gathered from community participants, all participants and the broader community will be invited to attend a community forum at which the strategies identified in earlier meetings will be discussed and evaluated through a structured process. A virtual option is being explored.
Presentation of Process, Community Health and Equity Committee - March 16, 2020
Presentation of Final Gun Violence Prevention Plan, City Council B Session - May 6, 2020
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Gun violence is an issue under considerable debate. Though public perception about the shape and scope of gun violence is often driven by media coverage of high-profile incidents, most gun-related deaths and injuries happen in the home. In San Antonio, gun deaths due to suicide outpace gun deaths due to homicide. Violent deaths overwhelmingly impact young people with deaths from suicide and homicide as second and third leading causes of death for people ages 15 - 34 in Bexar County. Public health and law enforcement are working together to identify strategies that prevent and respond to gun violence in the San Antonio community.
ISSUE:
SAPD and Metro Health would like to brief the Community Health and Equity Committee on the process for the development of the gun violence prevention plan.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact at this time.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for briefing purposes only.